Share this:

A former Nassau County deputy police commissioner on trial for allegedly accepting gifts in return for squashing a burglary rap for a rich friend’s son “is stone-cold innocent,’’ his attorney insisted yesterday.

In his closing statement, defense lawyer Bruce Barket said William Flanagan arranged only for the return of $10,000 of computer equipment to Zach Parker’s high school.

Flanagan did nothing illegal and did not attempt a coverup, Barket said.

“Returning stolen property is not a crime,’’ he told the jury of six men and six women in a Mineola courtroom.

But prosecutors shot back in their closing statements that Flanagan violated his oath and accepted $300 worth of steakhouse gift cards and other swag, including a half-price designer watch, from police benefactor Gary Parker to make sure that Parker’s son, Zach, was not arrested.

Flanagan, one of three former top cops charged, faces up to four years behind bars if convicted of conspiracy, official misconduct, and accepting a reward for official misconduct.